Northern Express - January 30, 2023

Julie Clark, CEO of TART Trails, and Jean Derenzy, CEO of Traverse City Downtown Development Authority

More Chances for Curling

After growing up in Detroit watching curling on Canadian TV, it’s nice to see local curling take center stage. Unfortunately, you neglected to mention [in a Jan. 23 article] one of the nicest curling centers in the area: Broomstack Kitchen and Taphouse.

Joey and Jen Reutter renovated the old red schoolhouse in Maple City and opened in February 2019. A bright new dining room, locally sourced fresh food, craft beer, live music, and an indoor curling ice make for a wonderful, family outing. The Leelanau Curling Club hosts league play and learn to curl events at Broomstack. There’s fun for the whole family from seniors to kids and it’s close to Traverse City. With a motto of “eat, drink, curl” how can you miss?

Christine Hauke | Maple City

Rain in California

Tried to search for the number of days it has been raining on our West Coast— mostly got ads and anything but that information! Was wondering how close it came to the old record set by Noah in the Bible…40 days and 40 nights?

When I first came to Traverse City 50 years ago, I saw lots of ice fishing shanties on Grand Traverse Bay. At Bryant Park in the spring, we had great chunks of ice as large as me and wider and thicker. If it does get cold enough to freeze the bay, will it hold a child this winter?

Stetson Ronald, Msgt USAF Retired | Traverse City

Common Homeowners Solve Problems

My neighbors and I share a similar level of tolerance for disruptive activity. From our location we can occasionally hear a garage band, a dog barking, or a lawn mower. We accept this activity as a responsible use of property. Should a petty intrusion ever escalate to degrading neighborhood safety or peaceful conditions, there are multiple forms of civil remedy.

Thankfully, scant few among us have any inclination to track and restrict the coming and going of people in our

neighbors’ private homes. That invasive practice is worthy of critical examination or peaceful resistance. Provided safety and a reasonable night’s rest are respected, it’s truly none of our business how our neighbor’s share their homes.

When we examine the exclusions in Traverse City’s residential zoning codes, people just like us (and our offspring) are the very people the exclusions target. During my lifetime, I’ve been a longterm tenant in a duplex, sixplex, and a backyard cottage. I’ve also enjoyed life as a vacation renter, a traveling worker, traveltrailer dweller, and RV roamer. Done right, these common housing adaptations are a wonderful enabler of a seasonal workforce and diverse, vibrant neighborhoods. Furthermore, isn’t it a responsible use of existing resources to empower residential property owners with historic rights of occupancy? Traverse City residential alleyways alone harbor the capacity for hundreds of custom housing solutions.

Most homeowners are capable of incrementally and continuously adding safe dwelling units as demand presents. Current TC residential zoning rules discourage the very thing we could use more of when addressing community problems: individual initiative!

columns & stuff

Editor: Jillian Manning

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Contributors: Ashlee Cowles, Brighid Driscoll, Anna Faller, Kierstin Gunsberg, Karl Klockars, Stephen Tuttle

Copyright 2022, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly. Northern Express Weekly is free of charge, but no person may take more than one copy of each weekly issue without written permission of Northern Express Weekly. Reproduction of all content without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

top ten this week’s

15 Years of Right Brain Beers 4

It’s been 15 years since Right Brain Brewery of Traverse City opened their doors to bring you creative, sometimes zany concoctions like the Pig Porter, Thai Peanut, Naughty Girl Stout, and Cherry Pie Whole. This Friday and Saturday, they’re ready to celebrate the milestone with an anniversary bash. The two-day party (Feb. 3-4) includes a host of events—from a drag show by the Kalamazoo Kittens to music from Grove of Trees—alongside beer specials and special edition brews. There’s a $10 cover charge, and RRB will be accepting donations for the Women’s Resource Center, with a goal of raising $5,000. If you can’t make the party, head to the brewery the following Saturday, Feb. 11, for their Phantasmagoria Art Exhibition for the Weird and Wonderful. The art show is focused on local artists, and the reception includes live performances, music, and dancing. Get the details on both events by heading to rightbrainbrewery.com.

Snacking gets the grown-up treatment at Crooked Tree Breadworks in Petoskey, where scratch-made bread and pastry selections (the rye-flecked sourdough is a must-try) are traditionally baked with simple ingredients. Our recent obsession, though, is the Pub Nuts. The newest in the shop’s line of shelf-stable munchies—which also includes the Addictive Granola, as well as three other seasoned nut flavors—this delightfully crunchy snack comprises only roasted peanuts dusted in a proprietary seasoning blend. (The full recipe is a bakery secret, but we know it involves pineapple juice!) At once warm and savory with a hint of sweetness, these nuts are perfect when crushed as crusts for baking, sprinkled on salads, or paired alongside an ice-cold beer. Just don’t be surprised when you go back for seconds! Pub Nuts are available in 7-ounce tubs ($8.25) at Crooked Tree Breadworks (2264 M-119, Petoskey), or you can stock up via the online store at breadworks.com.

Leave the daily grind and head to a winter wonderland at the Midwest Snowkite Jam at Lake Cadillac Resort. Friday, Feb. 3, includes the welcome party from 6-8pm at Lakeside Charlie’s, followed by a gear swap from 8-10pm at Lake Cadillac Resort. Saturday, catch orientation at 10am, followed by the Intro to Snowkiting Workshop at 11am. The Kite Race, Snowkite Olympics, awards, and closing party will follow. The actual race location will be determined one hour before the event based on wind. Registration required.

Hey, watch It! Kaleidoscope

We’ve all seen a thousand heist movies and TV shows. But we have never seen one where the episode order is shuffled, offering a creatively nonlinear (and at some points, perplexing) method of telling a story we’ve seen a thousand times before. Kaleidoscope centers on a crew of thieves looking for a $7 billion score. The only problem?

They’re trying to rob the most secure vault in the world… and each member of the crew has their own secrets, fears, and motivations. The format of the show—that you can watch the episodes in any order—is the most unique aspect of this drama miniseries, but we also enjoyed solid performances by Giancarlo Esposito and Rufus Sewell. Our verdict: Worth a watch, in whichever order you choose. (P.S. If you do want to see the show in a chronological order and skip some plot spoilers, the recommended episode order is “Black,” “Violet,” “Green,” “Yellow,” “Orange,” “Blue,” “White,” “Red,” and “Pink.”) Now streaming on Netflix.

Flying Through the Snow 5

6

Curated Chocolate Pairings

6 Curated Chocolate Pairings

Stuff We Love: New Trails and Headquarters

Stuff We Love: New Trails and Headquarters

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and that has us thinking about our very favorite food: chocolate. We like it in drinks (see this week’s Bottoms Up), in cakes, and especially in its undiluted bar form. So it’s no wonder we have our eye on this Sunday’s chocolate and local craft beverage event at the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park in TC, where Grocer’s Daughter of Empire will be pairing delectable chocolatey bites with spirits, wine, and beer from MAWBY, Iron Fish Distillery, Stormcloud Brewery, and Aurora Cellars. Why the teamup with the gardens? Grocer’s Daughter co-owner Jody Hayden is an expert in bean-to-bar chocolate farming and creation, serving on boards and committees for organizations like the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund and the Ecuador Cacao and Chocolate Summit. Tickets are $49 for members and $59 for the public for the Feb. 5 event, and more info can be found at thebotanicgarden.org/events.

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and that has us thinking about our very favorite food: chocolate. We like it in drinks (see this week’s Bottoms Up), in cakes, and especially in its undiluted bar form. So it’s no wonder we have our eye on this Sunday’s chocolate and local craft beverage event at the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park in TC, where Grocer’s Daughter of Empire will be pairing delectable chocolatey bites with spirits, wine, and beer from MAWBY, Iron Fish Distillery, Stormcloud Brewery, and Aurora Cellars. Why the teamup with the gardens? Grocer’s Daughter co-owner Jody Hayden is an expert in bean-to-bar chocolate farming and creation, serving on boards and committees for organizations like the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Fund and the Ecuador Cacao and Chocolate Summit. Tickets are $49 for members and $59 for the public for the Feb. 5 event, and more info can be found at thebotanicgarden.org/events.

Putting Communities First

Putting Communities First

In this issue, we spotlight community developer Elise Crafts (see page 12), so it only seemed fitting that the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CDAM) just announced their 2023 Community Development Fellowship program. The program places fellows into regions that are ready to change and grow for hands-on experience at every stage of the development process, including project funding, community engagement, and planning and zoning. This year, two NoMi towns are on the list of hosts: Gaylord and East Bay Township (the latter is in Grand Traverse County). Think you or someone you know could be a force of positive change Up North? Per the application, “No specific background or education is required to join the fellowship!” Candidates who are passionate about economic development and community organizing and those who are skilled in written and verbal communication are encouraged to apply. Interested parties can learn more about the opportunity and apply at cedamichigan.org/fellowship.

In this issue, we spotlight community developer Elise Crafts (see page 12), so it only seemed fitting that the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CDAM) just announced their 2023 Community Development Fellowship program. The program places fellows into regions that are ready to change and grow for hands-on experience at every stage of the development process, including project funding, community engagement, and planning and zoning. This year, two NoMi towns are on the list of hosts: Gaylord and East Bay Township (the latter is in Grand Traverse County). Think you or someone you know could be a force of positive change Up North? Per the application, “No specific background or education is required to join the fellowship!” Candidates who are passionate about economic development and community organizing and those who are skilled in written and verbal communication are encouraged to apply. Interested parties can learn more about the opportunity and apply at cedamichigan.org/fellowship.

Big things are happening for two Traverse City nonprofits. The Grand Traverse Conservation District has recently completed a new connector trail (pictured) on the east side of the Boardman-Ottaway River, linking the organization’s Natural Education Reserve to trails adjacent to the Great Lakes Incubator Farm. The quarter-mile trail includes 400 feet of raised boardwalks and takes trail users through cedar swamp and dense wetlands. Next up for them is the Ottaway Crossing, a 200-foot pedestrian bridge that will be installed at the site of the former Sabin Dam. On the opposite side of town, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has moved into their new digs at the Mitchell Creek Meadows off 3 Mile Road. The former golf course is being transformed not only into the official headquarters for the conservancy but also into healthy, restored habitat for plants and wildlife. Creation of the onsite universally accessible Looyenga Family Trail is underway, as is a connection to the 3-Mile section of the TART Trail.

Big things are happening for two Traverse City nonprofits. The Grand Traverse Conservation District has recently completed a new connector trail (pictured) on the east side of the Boardman-Ottaway River, linking the organization’s Natural Education Reserve to trails adjacent to the Great Lakes Incubator Farm. The quarter-mile trail includes 400 feet of raised boardwalks and takes trail users through cedar swamp and dense wetlands. Next up for them is the Ottaway Crossing, a 200-foot pedestrian bridge that will be installed at the site of the former Sabin Dam. On the opposite side of town, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has moved into their new digs at the Mitchell Creek Meadows off 3 Mile Road. The former golf course is being transformed not only into the official headquarters for the conservancy but also into healthy, restored habitat for plants and wildlife. Creation of the onsite universally accessible Looyenga Family Trail is underway, as is a connection to the 3-Mile section of the TART Trail.

bottoms up Northern Latitudes’ Mackinac Island Fudge Chocolate Liqueur

bottoms up Northern Latitudes’ Mackinac Island Fudge Chocolate Liqueur

When making grown-up hot cocoa sounds like too much work, all you need to do is pull out a bottle of Northern Latitude Distillery’s Mackinac Island Fudge Chocolate Liqueur. This bad boy is smooooth, perfectly balancing the sweet and bitter of the recipe’s organic cocoa powder. We’ve tried it over ice, with a splash of coconut milk (our favorite), and with a drop of peppermint extract (seriously—one, max two drops) to mimic that cocoa-plus-candycane tingle. A chocolate martini is next on our list…though we’ll probably have to go get a new bottle first. An important detail to remember: The distillery doesn’t use emulsifiers in this beverage, so shake well before you pour. Find the liqueur at Northern Latitudes’ Lake Leelanau location at 112 East Philip St.; at local shops like Hansen Foods, The Beverage Company, and River Street Market; or online at northernlatitudesdistillery.com.

When making grown-up hot cocoa sounds like too much work, all you need to do is pull out a bottle of Northern Latitude Distillery’s Mackinac Island Fudge Chocolate Liqueur. This bad boy is smooooth, perfectly balancing the sweet and bitter of the recipe’s organic cocoa powder. We’ve tried it over ice, with a splash of coconut milk (our favorite), and with a drop of peppermint extract (seriously—one, max two drops) to mimic that cocoa-plus-candycane tingle. A chocolate martini is next on our list…though we’ll probably have to go get a new bottle first. An important detail to remember: The distillery doesn’t use emulsifiers in this beverage, so shake well before you pour. Find the liqueur at Northern Latitudes’ Lake Leelanau location at 112 East Philip St.; at local shops like Hansen Foods, The Beverage Company, and River Street Market; or online at northernlatitudesdistillery.com.

The CEDAM fellows of 2021-22.

The CEDAM fellows of 2021-22.

FOOLISHNESS RIGHT AND LEFT

spectator

By Stephen Tuttle

Recent actions in Florida, Arkansas, and California are proving the extreme right and left can be equally nonsensical.

The College Board, a nonprofit organization created in 1900 to expand student access to higher education, approves and distributes Advanced Placement (AP) courses for high school students. Since the 2007-2008 school year, they have required schools to submit proposed curricula before it can officially be referred to as “Advanced Placement,” establishing specific criteria to qualify for the AP imprimatur. These are classes

Farther west, the newly elected governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Donald Trump’s former press secretary, started her tenure with eight executive orders on her first day in office. Two of them were sort of mysterious.

First, she banned the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in K-12 public schools. This is a popular target of conservative Republicans. Initially created 40+ years ago as something to be discussed in a college level course, CRT proposes that race is a social construct and racism is

Recent actions in Florida, Arkansas, and California are proving the extreme right and left can be equally nonsensical.

created to give students who qualify and excel a distinct advantage heading to their next level of education.

Florida was given an AP African American Studies program, which they promptly rejected. Their Department of Education, taking their cue from Gov. Ron DeSantis, said the program “lacks educational value.” DeSantis gave a more straightforward answer when questioned about the decision. To paraphrase, Florida has its own Black history instruction so they don’t need an entire course on it. Then he got to the real crux of the issue—the AP course proposed includes lessons on “queer theory,” DeSantis said.

The Florida governor’s distrust, dislike, and fear of the LGBTQ+ community has reached downright obsessive levels and has now spilled over into Black history as well. He seems to think, and has convinced a compliant legislature, that nearly any reference to relationships not between one man and one woman is an attempt to “indoctrinate” and “groom” Florida children to a “gay lifestyle.”

Additionally, a recent Florida law prohibits teachers from including any books in their classrooms that haven’t been curated by a librarian who must be on the lookout for more indoctrination and grooming. I would call such people censors, and it’s unclear what standards they will use while undertaking their censorship efforts. Almost incomprehensibly, it can be a felony if a teacher brings an unapproved book into his or her classroom. Dr. Seuss could now be a crime.

Florida is already known for its so-called “don’t say gay” law passed last year. That’s not exactly what the law is, but it is certainly another piece of a puzzle unfriendly to the LGBTQ+ community.

So, American history being taught to students in Florida is starting to come into sharper focus—no courses including Florida’s long and mostly unpleasant relationship with Black history and nothing that even tangentially mentions gay anything lest their children be groomed and indoctrinated.

embedded in our country’s legal systems and policies—to the point that systems intentionally benefit a white patriarchy at the specific expense of minorities, particularly Black people.

The theory contains both truth and hyperbole but was never intended to be taught or even discussed at the K-12 level. In fact, there is not a single public school in Arkansas that includes CRT as a course or even part of a course in their curricula. Sanders is banning something that does not exist…you know, just in case.

Not finished, she also banned the use of the word “Latinx” in any communications generated by the state. “Latinx” was supposed to be a gender neutral replacement for the gender specific words Latino or Latina. It hasn’t exactly caught on.

According to Pew Research, only 24 percent of that community, whether they call themselves Latino, Latina, or Hispanic, have ever even heard of the word Latinx, and only 3 percent said they’ve ever used it. But some Arkansans said the term is used when referring to nonbinary folks, so we can’t have that. More grooming and indoctrination and another ban on something that barely exists.

Not to be outdone, the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work has banned the use of the word “field” in their department because it might be offensive to Black Americans whose enslaved ancestors were forced to work in fields, not to mention immigrant migrant workers “forced” to work in fields. I am not making this up.

So, “field” will be replaced by the word “practicum,” which Oxford Languages defines as a “practical, rather than theoretical, course of study.” USC students in school of social work will no longer do field work, they will do a practicum.

This foolishness, equally offensive if coming from either political extreme, will only stop when the public insists…assuming we can still use the word “public.”

WOMEN & WEED

What do you imagine a typical cannabis user looks like? Most would picture a young man, probably wearing tie-dyed clothing and sporting a beard. The truth is, there are many different types of folks who enjoy cannabis. When it comes to cannabis use, women are no different than men, except that they’re often more under-represented in the conversation. Shifting the focus from the stereotypes about cannabis users will allow us to take a closer look at what being a woman in northern Michigan means today.

Women have been using cannabis for thousands of years. But in the last century or so, many of these women have been hesitant about using cannabis because of the stigma around it. It wasn’t until recently that women started to feel comfortable discussing the benefits of their use of cannabis as medicine or recreation with friends and family members.

By normalizing and setting new standards in cannabis consumption and continuing to find ways to break generations of stigma, more and more women are finding themselves able to open up about their experiences with cannabis.

Today, some women use cannabis because they enjoy its effects on mood and appetite, while others use it for therapeutic purposes such as managing pain from chronic health conditions like fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis. Still others find it helps them sleep better at night or manage their anxiety levels during stressful situations. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health, women are more likely than men to have anxiety disorders and panic attacks, which makes them more likely to use cannabis as an alternative treatment for those conditions.

Whatever your reason for using this unique plant, we want to help you navigate your path to wellness. Our grasstenders can point you toward just the right product to help you make the first step to responsible consumption. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, visit our website at dunegrass.co.

DRY JANUARY

guest opinion

by Karen Mulvahill

My commitment to an alcohol-free January was challenged the night we hosted dinner and friends brought a special bottle of red to accompany the bison lasagna. Threatened the night I went to a Mexican restaurant and watched everyone else drinking margaritas. Truly tested the night I went out with a friend to talk about men. This discussion would usually involve at

One suggestion frequently offered in the Dry January articles is to replace alcoholic drinks with “mocktails” or de-alcoholized drinks. (This is not recommended, however, for those who have alcohol use disorder, as it may trigger a desire for alcohol.) I tried a bottle of something called “Sidecar” and it was delicious, but also $9 for two servings. As for dealcoholized wine—I tried a

It’s been interesting to note how many times I might’ve had a drink and didn’t. In our culture, we drink to celebrate, and we drink to commiserate. We drink when we’re angry, and we drink when we’re happy.

least one bottle of wine and would dissolve into tears and laughs. And although we didn’t solve our man problems, being sober wasn’t to blame.

I read a story about Dry January around year-end, when imbibing higher than usual quantities of alcohol during the holidays. While not a fanatic, I strive to eat healthy foods and to exercise regularly. And the ill-effects of alcohol consumption are well known, including insomnia, loss of energy, depression, and anxiety, not to mention the cringe-worthy remarks or actions that the loss of inhibition may lead to!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Excessive alcohol use led to more than 140,000 deaths and 3.6 million years of potential life lost each year…shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 26 years.” A Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study, Alcohol and Violence, found that 48 percent of homicide offenders drank right before the murder occurred and 37 percent were intoxicated during it.

In my own life, I’ve seen alcohol use destroy marriages and friendships, change normally intelligent people into idiots, cause near misses on the road, and result in drunk driving convictions.

Still, in moderation, drinking alcoholic beverages can be pleasant and relatively harmless. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests either not drinking at all or drinking in moderation, which means two drinks or less in a day for men or one drink or less in a day for women.

It’s been interesting to note how many times I might’ve had a drink and didn’t. In our culture, we drink to celebrate, and we drink to commiserate. We drink when we’re angry, and we drink when we’re happy. We drink to wind down. So many of our social activities involve drinking. Just look through this issue and see how many of our local entertainment options involve alcohol. We meet friends at a bar or restaurant or winery. We go to listen to music at venues that serve alcohol.

Sauvignon Blanc. It tastes like the wine sans the complexity. Still, it’s fruity and would be a good accompaniment to fish.

What worked for me was pretty much anything, including flavored sparkling water. I have some vintage glasses that are alternately striped with gold and frosted glass. Just using those glasses felt like a special occasion. Typically, I don’t drink soda pop, so that, too, was a treat to myself. I discovered a simple combination of ginger beer with a splash of coconut water to be particularly satisfying.

Studies have shown that the benefits of participating in Dry January are lasting. It’s the improvement in physical well-being that some may notice, or the heightened awareness when considering a drink and choosing more often to reach for something non-alcoholic.

“The objective of Dry January is not long-term sobriety—it’s long-term control,” says Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK, the originator of Dry January a decade ago. Last year, 130,000 people signed up to participate.

Here are some other benefits: Being a good listener and intelligent conversationalist. Having enough energy after hosting a dinner to clean up the kitchen. Waking up the next day feeling good, both physically and mentally. Not feeling guilty for over-drinking. Not wondering if you offended anyone.

So why not challenge yourself? Be mindful when choosing a beverage. Find a nonalcoholic drink that feels special. Set small goals. A week of abstention or a limit of one drink. Go for a dry—or damp—February.

And don’t be embarrassed to seek help if you need it. Munson offers assistance: munsonhealthcare.org/services/communityhealth/help-with-substance-use-disorderrecovery. Alcoholics Anonymous has numerous meetings throughout northern Michigan. In addition, there are many therapists who specialize in the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

I’ve discovered there’s no downside to drinking less.

Karen Mulvahill is a writer living in northern Michigan.

Irony

Early on Jan. 14, in Monterrey, Mexico, Carlos Alonso, 32, allegedly broke a glass door at Christ the King Parish and entered, intending to rob the church, Catholic News Agency reported. But as he tried to flee with a statue of St. Michael the Archangel in hand, he tripped and fell on the angel's sword, seriously wounding his neck. Passersby saw the injured Alonso and called for help; he is expected to be charged after he recovers from the fall. The statue was unharmed.

Recent Alarming Headline

On Jan. 16, a drive-thru customer at a coffee shop in Auburn, Washington, wanted more than an extra shot, KCRA-TV reported. As the barista handed Matthew Darnell, 38, his change through the window, a surveillance camera caught him grabbing her arm and pulling her toward him as he fumbled with a zip tie. The barista was able to pull away from him and close the windows as his dollar bills went flying. He drove off, but a distinctive "Chevrolet" tattoo on his arm was captured on video, along with his side profile. Police later reported that Darnell had been arrested at his home in Auburn and was held on $500,000 bail.

Molehill, Meet Mountain

After getting into a dispute with staff at Jinling Purple Mountain Hotel in Shanghai on Jan. 10 over a misplaced laptop, a 28-yearold man named Chen decided to escalate, CBS News reported. He crashed his car through the glass lobby doors and careened around the space, knocking over fixtures and terrifying other guests, who tried to get the driver out of the car. "Do you have any idea what you've done? Are you crazy?

Are you?" onlookers screamed at him. As he attempted to exit the lobby, he hit a door frame and came to a stop, and police took him into custody. It turns out the laptop had been stolen and was found outside the hotel; no one was injured.

Animal Antics

Carrier pigeons have been couriers of legitimate and nefarious items for centuries, but officials at the Pacific Institution in Abbotsford, British Columbia, nonetheless were stunned when a gray bird with a tiny backpack landed in a fenced inmate prison yard on Dec. 29. The CBC reported that officers "had to corner it," according to John Randle, Pacific regional president of the Union for Canadian Correctional Officers. "You can imagine how that would look, trying to catch a pigeon." After some time, they were able to grab it and remove the package, which contained about 30 grams of crystal meth. "We've been focusing so much on drone interdiction ... Now we have to look at, I guess, pigeons again," Randle said. They set the little guy free and are investigating its origin.

Fail When Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, was built in 2012, the district installed a hightech lighting system that was intended to save on energy costs, NBC News reported. But the software that controls the lights

failed on Aug. 24, 2021, and every light in the school has been on since then. Aaron Osbourne, the assistant superintendent for the district, says the glitch is costing taxpayers "in the thousands of dollars per month on average, but not in the tens of thousands." Teachers have removed bulbs where possible, and staff have shut off breakers to darken some of the exterior lighting. But help is on the way! Parts from China have arrived to fix the problem, which is expected to be completed in February.

Family Values

It's important to encourage your children in their scholastic endeavors. But an unnamed mother in La Grange, New York, took parental support too far when she snuck into Arlington High School on Jan. 17 before school started to watch her freshman daughter beat up another girl. The Mid Hudson News reported that Mom was caught on video using vulgar language and egging her daughter on as the girls tussled. Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer said the woman blended in with the students coming to school by wearing a backpack. "The students and the mother involved ... will be held accountable for their actions," Moyer said.

WSMV-TV reported that a car that crashed into a mailbox in Nashville, Tennessee, on Jan. 14 was driven by an underage motorist -- REALLY underage, as in 5 years old. The child's father, John Edwin Harris, 53, was seen by a witness grabbing the kid and running from the scene, police said. Officers found multiple open bottles of alcohol inside and ran the tags; when they arrived at Harris' home, he was driving away in his wife's car. He failed a field sobriety test, could barely stand up and smelled of alcohol. He was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident -- where's the child endangerment charge?! -- and was released on $4,000 bond.

Repeat Offender

An unnamed 62-year-old man from Garfield Heights, Ohio, was arrested -for the 70th time -- in early January after he allegedly stole a shopping cart full of packaged meat to sell to restaurants, WJW-TV reported. The Walmart in South Euclid alerted authorities to the theft; in the parking lot, the thief transferred the goods to a stolen suitcase and threw what wouldn't fit in a dumpster. He told officers he sells the meat half-price to area restaurants. He was booked, again, for theft.

It's Come to This

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 of 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a 108% increase in a certain smuggled item at ports of entry, Fox5-TV reported on Jan. 18. It wasn't fentanyl or heroin, though. Seized egg products and poultry were the hot catch as prices soared in the United States. "My advice is, don't bring them over," said CBP supervisory agriculture specialist Charles Payne. Or, he advised, if you do, declare them so you won't be fined. Thirty eggs in Juarez, Mexico, cost $3.40 -- a fraction of what they'd cost in the U.S. because of an outbreak of avian flu that forced producers to euthanize 43 million egg-laying hens.

WING WOMEN

Beside every great woman...is another great woman

By Jillian Manning

Friends. Mentors. Colleagues. Sisters, moms, and cousins. No woman is an island, and this week we’re celebrating the wing women who help us become our best selves at work, at home, and in our communities.

We asked several NoMi women in leadership who their wing woman is—the person who is by their side and always has their back—and the unanimous opinion was that it’s hard to choose just one! Read on to see who inspires them, motivates them, and offers a listening ear for challenges big and small.

Tifini McClyde-Blythe

Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Interlochen Center for the Arts

I feel truly blessed to have a group of amazing women that I consider my wing women. Each of these women have been my closest friend, biggest champion, confidant, and mentor to help me through my ups and downs professionally and personally. It was really hard to pick one, but I am going to highlight my wing woman who recently visited Traverse City to conduct board training for Interlochen Center for the Arts: Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow.

Charlotte and I met through a mutual friend. When we first met, it felt like we'd known each other forever. I was at a crossroads regarding going back to school for my masters degree. We talked about balancing life as a wife, mother, executive leader, and my own business while adding the pursuit of a master degree to my plate. Once I started my masters program, Charlotte was one of my many lifelines that helped keep me focused to complete my degree despite curveballs that were hurled at me. She was my sounding board when I decided to change jobs, which led me to northern Michigan, and mentor in dealing with some of the challenges of being in northern Michigan.

Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow has a lengthy list of professional achievements in her career, but what I personally love most about her is that she identifies as a person first. Charlotte looks for commonalities with everyone she meets and sees her greatest accomplishment as her family. There aren’t enough words for me to express how much I love and appreciate Charlotte.

Julie Clark

Chief Executive Officer of TART Trails

I first met Jean Derenzy when we started planning for the last leg of the Boardman Lake Loop. We kept at it for more than 10 years. I admire Jean's drive, creativity, and pure gumption. She's someone I know I can turn to when I need a sounding board, a new line of thinking, or just a good smack of reality. Jean has helped me learn to lean in and listen more and keep working to find solutions. She’s wicked smart and generous with her time and talent. And she always knows just the right time for a good bourbon or glass of red wine.

My wing women are undoubtedly my sheroes, mentors, colleagues, and friends that I call renowned LinkedIn Learning instructor, author, Unitarian Universalist leader, human rights and water activist, and farmer. Rev. Wendy is a semi-retired Unitarian Universalist minister, teacher, human rights and water activist, and farmer.

Our friendship began when working on election GOTV activities and expanded into a plethora of shared interests and avocations. They are the people I turn to for guidance, honesty, support, and faith, on top of the fun we have getting into good trouble. I am truly blessed to have these two humans in my life and know that with them alongside me, I can do almost anything. I thank them both from the bottom of my heart (Ny’tra!).

Christine Nefcy

Chief Medical Officer at Munson Healthcare

My wing woman at work is my colleague and friend, Laura Glenn (second from right). She thinks about things differently than I do, often comes from a different perspective, and is as straightforward as I am, so she offers sound advice and isn’t afraid to push back when I need it. Also, she’s always up for an Old Fashioned and some girl talk!

Chris MacInnes

President of Crystal Mountain Resort

There are many extraordinary women I could consider a wing woman throughout my life, but one of the first people who I really felt support, guidance, and connection with would be Dorothy “Dotty” Hall. She’s a retired St. Lawrence University coach who was recently inducted into Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

I was a sophomore at St. Lawrence University when Dotty joined the coaching staff. That fall, she helped us with pre-season ski team training, though she was not officially our coach. We loved it because she made practice FUN! As a team, and with Dotty, we bonded. Sportswriter Frank Deford described Coach Hall to a tee: “Great coaches don’t just teach skills; they prepare people to lead.”

Dotty paved the way for many coaches and student-athletes, but her impact extended far beyond athletic training. People wanted to work, play, and learn with her, not only because she knew her stuff, but because she made you feel confident. Believing in oneself is a fundamental quality of leadership…and it’s the most precious gift one can give to another.

Diana Fairbanks

Associate Vice President of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications at Northwestern Michigan College

Female relationships are essential to me. Each woman in my life has unique experience and expertise of incredible value. I love learning from each of them! I also try to be a good mentor, sponsor, and friend in return. We really look out for each other in Traverse City!

One woman in particular who is a wing woman to so many of us is the incomparable Bonnie Alfonso (third from left). She is tough and generous. She will tell it like it is, and tell you how it could be. When Bonnie has your back, nothing can stop you. She won’t allow it!

CRAFTING A COMMUNITY

By Kierstin Gunsberg

Off the beaten path of downtown Traverse City’s beloved restaurants and charming window displays are dozens of little neighborhood gems. There’s the swingset view of West Bay’s moody shades of blue at Darrow park; the summertime food trucks churning out tamales and sushi; and the sidewalks and trails that conveniently lead to Little Free Libraries, boutique grocery shops, local businesses, and concerts on the lawn.

But there’s also the less appealing aspects of living, working in, and even visiting Traverse City, like the undeniable lack of childcare and affordable housing or the worker shortages interrupting the very industries that anchor the city.

It’s these things—all of the good, bad, and in-between in a community—that people like community developer Elise Crafts think about while on the clock.

“I think community development sometimes gets confused with economic development, and they sort of overlap,” she explains. “But economic development is thinking about how best to attract employers and grow jobs in an area. And then community development could be the complement to that. Let’s make this community a really great place to be [in order] to make all of that possible.”

Listening In

Crafts founded her firm, Placecraft (formerly Statecraft), in 2018 to help foster healthier, happier communities by pinpointing ways to make them function more efficiently for the people within them. She develops studies, timetables, and plans to enact change with the input from local citizens and partner stakeholders…input that can sometimes be quite spirited.

“It’s not about me or my work,” she says. “It’s about the community that we’re working on, the idea that we’re working on. And that person or group is offering an opinion because they care deeply, and I respect that.”

At the moment, she’s currently balancing active roles in the Marquette Master Plan as well as the Traverse City Master Plan and has previously worked on projects familiar to locals, including the Healthier Drinking Culture Strategic Plan for Downtown TC, which was adopted by Traverse City leaders in October of 2021.

That plan opened with a study which was, at times, contentious. Respondents were unified in their belief that the local drinking culture needed improvement, but were often split on how to solve the problem, with heated commentary permeating the conversations. Crafts’ job was to come alongside the other professionals on a development team and, taking into consideration every comment and survey, flesh out short- and long-term solutions to the identified problem.

In the case of the Healthier Drinking Culture Plan, some residents felt that the best solution would be stricter laws around public intoxication and a stronger law enforcement presence in downtown proper, while others were adamantly against more policies and laws as a fix. In the end, the plan incorporated views from both sides. By June 2023, city partners have been tasked with, among other goals, increasing the presence of downtown police officers (who receive training in conflict de-escalation); installing more outdoor lighting on streets, sidewalks, and alleys; supporting various safe-drinking trainings for downtown serving staff; and encouraging the availability of nonalcoholic beverages and promotion of safe transportation options.

(Read more about the plan and its action steps at healthierdrinkingtc.com/ strategic-plan.)

Elise Crafts shares her perspective on community development

While she can take on contracts from all over, Crafts knew she wanted to be Traverse City based after a serene visit to Haserot Beach following a job interview.

(Photo by Captured by Grace Photography)

Building Connections

Crafts is well versed in contentious topics, having worked on other sensitive projects in the region including a tall building proposal, which enlightened her to the fact that Traverse City is “one of the most engaged communities,” and its residents are anything but apathetic.

“I think people who find themselves here or grew up here care really deeply about what happens here and are willing to take a survey or attend a meeting to show up and make sure that whatever they think should happen is recorded and part of the record,” she says.

Not every project she helps spearhead is so polarizing, however. The Lower Boardman River Unified Plan, a project that has essentially sought to implement environmentally respectful development guidelines for the portion of the Boardman-

Ottaway River that runs behind many of the businesses on Front Street, “had a broad community embrace.”

One corridor Crafts is especially focused on lately is Eighth Street, where her office—a coworking space that she shares with other local professionals—is located in the new Commongrounds building. She’s also consulted for the mixed-use development, which houses residential, professional, and enrichment focused spaces like food incubator Nobo Mrkt and music and art venue The Alluvion all under one roof.

The concept behind Commongrounds is one that Crafts believes intrinsically improves communities. “I think that community relies on connection and mixed-use developments to connect different organizations, residents, and patrons together, making for a vibrant and interesting space.”

Finding Solutions

Though the deadline-driven nature of her job keeps her on her toes in anticipation of the people and places she gets to work with next, there’s an overarching theme in every contract she takes on: communication not for the sake of debate, but for the sake of solution.

Crafts also acknowledges that while her ultimate goal is to help the communities that seek her services, sometimes the positive effects of the solution may be tough to distinguish immediately.

“I think one of the biggest challenges with community development is it’s hard to tie outcomes to actions,” she explains. “It takes a long time for culture to change or corridors to change, and so you’ve got to be patient. … Sometimes the change is so incremental.”

She has been watching that incremental

change Up North since 2013, when she moved from southern Michigan to accept a part-time position as the Peninsula Township zoning administrator, filling in the gaps with shifts at The Workshop Brewing Company. Even after 10 years in the area, Crafts is aware of the apprehension some may have to a non-local implementing changes into their community, and she says that the pushback she sometimes receives is a positive sign of involvement from residents and visitors alike.

Reflecting on the delicate quality of community development and the perspective she’s gained in this dynamic role, she says, “I feel like there might be an opportunity to learn, as a community, how to disagree and be okay with disagreeing, while looking for what we do agree on and moving forward on that.”

When she’s not working, Crafts is often on adventures with her loyal canine sidekick, Jake.

“I find the ‘buzz’ of a shared space very inspiring and helpful to my workflow,” says Crafts, seen in her coworking space at Commonplace.

Meeting People, Making Friends

Breaking out of your shell…and the mid-winter rut

By Brighid Driscoll

We’ve had a lot of gray days and not a lot of snow since the start of 2023. Visions of skiing and snowshoeing while the sun streaks through forest branches have sometimes felt just as far away as warm summer beach days. After the seemingly longest month of the year, leaving a permanent imprint of your behind on a U&I barstool might feel like the best way to get through the rest of winter.

But if you’re new to town or trying to branch out and meet new people? Forget about it. Our region’s collective seasonal affective disorder has way too many of us feeling like cranky hermits who would rather pile on more blankets and hit “play next episode” on Netflix than socialize.

The good news: Northern Express is here to give you some fun options to break up the gray days and make new friends while you’re at it. We’ve rounded up four local ways to get you involved with the community, away from the weather report, and off your couch.

20Fathoms

20Fathoms is a membership-based organization dedicated to growing entrepreneurs and tech startups. Beyond the startup resources and co-working space, the organization regularly hosts social events.

“I’m probably the perfect person to ask about this because I moved here right before COVID. How do you make friends and engage with your friends remotely?” asks Director of Development & Community Engagement Brittany Vanderbeek. “Before even working for 20Fathoms, I became a member, and that was one of the best ways for me to meet new people.”

An ongoing meetup, Women in Tech, is a social group for women working or interested in working in tech-related roles. “It’s a great way to get to know women across the board, all experience levels, whether they’re working for a tech company or starting their own. It’s a really interesting group of people, and it’s where I’ve made most of my new friends in the area,” says Vanderbeek. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at Earthen Ales from 5pm to 7pm.

20Fathoms is also rebranding their popular Beer Thirty event that runs every fourth Thursday from 5pm to 7pm at 20Fathoms. “We’re rebranding it to an Open House to be more inclusive, whether you want to drink beer or sparkling water. This is also a great way to meet people and make connections,” Vanderbeek says. Open House days are open to all, with the next one held on Feb. 23.

Check out their website 20fathoms.org/events to stay up to date.

TC Track Club

The Traverse City Track Club has been around since 1963. “Having lived here in Traverse City for almost 35 years, my husband and I still have friends that we met from Track Club in the ’90s,” says outgoing Executive Director Lisa Taylor.

The nonprofit is going strong at 800 members, with no plans to slow down. “We just surveyed our membership. 60 percent are regular runners, 22 percent are competitive runners, 14 percent are occasional runners, and 3 percent aren’t runners at all—they’re probably walkers. We’re actually the largest running club in the state of Michigan,” Taylor says.

The club finds new members largely through their Fun Runs. “They’ve been happening every Wednesday night for the last 10 years, year-round. At every fun run, we ask if there are any new people here, and they’ll raise their hand and we introduce them. The Fun Run coordinator will ask them to join the club, and from there the ball really starts rolling. They get our newsletters, a club shirt, and a number of our events are free for members.”

What Taylor has found during Fun Runs is that once people get into their comfortable pace, they start chatting with others who are also moving at the same clip. “A lot of times friendships will develop, and people will stick around after the run. We often have them at one of our breweries so people will stick around after and get food,” Taylor says.

Head over to tctrackclub.com/funruns to see the full schedule of upcoming Fun Runs every Wednesday at 6:30pm. (Per Taylor, membership is “$15 for the year. We joke with our board and members that it’s the best deal in town.”)

Spark in the Dark Spark in the Dark began as a Facebook group. People in need of clothing, furniture, car help, and other items would make a post in the group asking if anyone could provide assistance. The rules were simple; be civil, offer only free items or resources, take only what you need, and, if you can, pay it forward.

Since the first Traverse City-based group was started, Spark has grown to five chapters and over 23,000 members. “We are more than a Facebook group; we are a nonprofit organization through the state of Michigan and have five groups across the state working to make connections and meet needs every day, to the tune of over 80,000 needs being met since 2017,” says Founder and Executive Director Abagail McKiernan.

Spark regularly hosts events and helps other organizations and nonprofits organize and staff community events that benefit the Humane Society, children, people experiencing homelessness, and other efforts.

All of that is to say, if you’re looking for a great volunteer opportunity, Spark would be happy to have you. With a variety of communities and causes to serve, volunteering for Spark is a well-rounded opportunity.

“Whether you are helping or are in need of help, you are sure to find the right connection and people,” says McKiernan. Learn more at sparkinthedark.org.

Here:Say Storytelling

Storytelling connects people of the past, present, and future to each other. Whether through humor, pain, history, or shared experience, storytelling is the foundation we build our lives on.

Here:Say of Traverse City puts the spotlight on these moments of storytelling. At each show, a storyteller gets up to share their story with little more than a stage, bright lighting, and an audience..

“Here:Say shows draw some of the friendliest crowds you can hope for. It’s always a cross-generational mix of longtime fans and newcomers, solo and group attendees, new and returning performers,” explains Creative Director & Producer Karen Stein.

She goes on to say, “The stories—all true— can be heartfelt, hilarious, heavy, and most often a combination of those things. And there’s a generosity on both sides of the stage— the performers embrace the vulnerability required of talking about their own lives into a microphone, and the audience in return gives their full attention. Listening to a good story can release serotonin and oxytocin, and a warm, buzzy feeling is a very real thing at storytelling shows. At a recent pop-up show in Suttons Bay, a repeat performer [and] frequent attendee referred to it as ‘that Here:Say feeling.’”

Here:Say started back in 2013, when Stein was looking for a creative storytelling outlet similar to The Moth, an international nonprofit promoting the art and craft of storytelling. Although the typical season is no longer running, Here:Say pop-ups are still held. Like Here:Say on Facebook to be on the lookout.

Visit their website heresaystorytelling.com for more details.

NO WOMAN LEFT BEHIND

Women’s Resource Center persists in the face of rising domestic violence and uncertain funding

By Anna Faller

For many of us, the onset of the pandemic hit pause on most parts of everyday life. Domestic abuse, however, continued, with instances still on the rise even as lockdown regulations have waned. This is where the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of Traverse City comes in. As an area expert on domestic violence, WRC and its services are integral to supporting survivors.

“No survivor fell through the cracks, and we were able to maintain operation when other centers [statewide] were shut down,” explains Executive Director Juliette Schultz.

In fact, she says the pandemic—and with it, a renewed spotlight on domestic violence—actually galvanized local involvement, from seemingly endless thrift shop donations to people pledging their stimulus checks. “We feel blessed to have the community behind us,” she says. “[Their] support was like a light in the dark.”

Northern Express sat down with members of the WRC leadership team for the scoop on the organization’s programs, updated domestic violence patterns, and what’s in store for this community fixture through the next year and beyond.

Empowering Survivors

Founded in 1975, the Women’s Resource Center was born as a grassroots organization with a volunteer-only staff whose mission was to support and empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Since then, that mission has worked its way into every corner of the region, from awareness and prevention workshops to partnered programs and businesses.

Now nearing its fiftieth year of service, WRC’s advocacy model surrounds an empowerment-based philosophy, wherein survivors can ask for—and receive—that support however it makes sense for them. To do that, the WRC operates a 24/7 crisis hotline, through which survivors and their families can reach a team of trained advocates, and offers one-on-one and group support for victims of domestic violence, which can be accessed throughout Grand Traverse County, Benzie, Kalkaska, and Lake Leelanau.

Other WRC services include the Helen’s House emergency shelter, transitional housing options, and community referrals for specialized needs, all of which come free of charge. “[Our mission] is across the board,” Schultz says. “Anyone who has a

need can come in and receive that help for free.”

WRC also operates two thrift shop locations—the flagship US-31 store and a newer South Airport branch—proceeds from which account for the majority (roughly 60 percent) of the WRC’s annual revenue.

“When we first started, the main reason for the thrift shop was to [provide for] survivors that came into the shelter,” thrift shop manager Carol Rose explains. Within that framework, the concept has since grown to meet a wider need, including struggling college students, refugees, and those who’ve experienced tragedy. In fact, Schultz estimates that the center’s thrift shops contribute a whopping $8,000 to $10,000 in free clothing and household items to people in need in the community each month.

(Unfortunately, the US-31 store faced serious donation losses to the estimated tune of $21,000 last month after an arsonist—who was out on bond for a domestic violence charge—set fire to a dumpster behind the store. The fire spread, damaging the area where donations are accepted and stored. At the time of this writing, the WRC website notes “We are in dire need of donations, especially furniture, after a devastating fire destroyed our storage area and damaged the back of the shop.”)

Mountains to Climb

With so many moving parts in place, sustaining those programs is no easy feat. Staffing, for one, is an ongoing need, especially for the thrift shop’s second location.

The weight of supporting survivors in crisis also comes with its own challenges. “Our employees have very hard jobs,” says Schultz, a situation made even clearer by

the pandemic’s demands. To combat this, the WRC is committed to supporting its employees however possible. “[The pandemic’s] added complexity has just caused us to take a harder look at how we can make sure our staff is getting what they need,” she says.

Obtaining reliable funding, says Schultz, is another uphill battle. The WRC’s mission absorbs upwards of one million dollars in gross revenue annually, with thrift shop income at the fore. Other sources of funding include donations, grants, and government funding.

This year, however, WRC is anticipating a major cutback in government dollars in October, “and we have no idea what it will be,” says Schultz.

Consequently, donations from spare cash to clothing are a great way to support the mission, and, as cliché as it might sound, every little bit really does help. “Whether folks want to buy [from the thrift shop] or come in and give their time, there are so many ways to contribute,” Schultz says.

Rising Numbers

The budget shift could not come at a worse time, as the need for services has only increased since the beginning of the pandemic, says Schultz. In fact, once stay-at-home orders were lifted, the WRC clocked a staggering 40 percent increase in crisis calls (though that number has since dwindled some), as well as a notable spike in individuals seeking Personal Protection Orders (PPOs).

That escalation, unfortunately, wasn’t surprising to Schultz and her staff. “From year to year [during the pandemic], we saw an increase in contact when [businesses] reopened, so that was something we were prepared for,” she says. The group’s observations align with national data post-

pandemic, which, according to the Council on Criminal Justice, reflect an increase of about eight percent in rates of domestic violence incidents throughout 2020.

Since then, the group’s intervention rates continue to remain elevated. “Anecdotally, we’re seeing violence increase,” Schultz says, with the WRC now responding to upwards of 5,000 crisis calls annually and facilitating between 12 and 20 PPOs every month.

Nevertheless, the team at WRC emphasizes that domestic abuse is not a product of COVID. “[Domestic] violence doesn’t happen because someone lost their job,” notes Schultz. Instead, she says, it happens because someone made a choice to try and overpower someone else.

Regaining control is the foundation upon which the center’s programs are built. Schultz explains, “[We’re] founded on meeting survivors in a nonjudgmental way, and providing confidential support in whatever way they’d like us to provide it.”

Moving Forward

As for the next 50 years? The WRC has set its sights on pouring that support back into its programs, the positive effects of which are as close as your nearest thrift shop floor. “At least once a week, a donor comes in [who has used] our services in the past,” says Rose.

Though each situation is unique— some survivors are there to talk; others, to celebrate their success—the common denominator between them is the intent to pay the experience forward. “I love those stories, because that’s their way of giving back what they can,” Rose says. “It feels so simple, but it’s a big thing.”

To learn more about the work of the Women’s Resource Center, visit womensresourcecenter.org.

DREAMING BIG

TC nonprofit Single MOMM has big plans for a recent Impact100 grant

By Karl Klockars

After 15 years of operation, the Traverse City-based support group and resource center known as Single MOMM is hitting its full stride—and receiving a recent Impact100 grant is only helping to accelerate their efforts.

Single MOMM (the extra “M” stands for “ministry” while simultaneously serving as a more search-friendly SEO differentiation from other websites) started in 2008 when founder and executive director Jennifer Finnegan Pool found herself needing a place to meet and socialize with other single moms in the Traverse City area. Since then, the nonprofit has expanded its programming to include not just event nights but also mentorship courses, housing assistance programs, and a variety of classes both online and in-person to help give single moms the skills they need to support their families.

“The first thing is mentoring,” says director of philanthropy Kammie Richardson, who was a volunteer for a decade before first joining the board and then becoming an employee. She explains the nonprofit’s Mentorship 360 program “means around the circle, 360 degrees, where whatever a woman needs, that’s where the mentor would enter. Parenting help. Guidance through the legal system. Financial assistance, meaning ‘help me get on a budget.’ Educational help. Vocational help. The area of their most present need: that’s where that mentor would begin.”

There are also a rotating series of multi-week programs called Acquire Classes, which focus further on parenting skills, financial planning information, and other supportive topics. Meanwhile, the A.R.R.I.S.E. residential housing program helps moms maintain housing for up to two years while they work through trauma, pay off debt, or build the skills they need to remain independent.

Big Growth

Partly due to the pandemic, they’ve extended all of those services dramatically throughout northern Michigan.

“Our organization exploded during the pandemic for hard, complex reasons, but there’s so much goodness that came out of it,” Pool says. “What I mean by that

is we were open the entire way through the pandemic, and it allowed us to walk with women in a deeper sense, understand the dynamics within their families at a deeper level, and realize that we could do so much better. We could meet them where they were at in a better way than what we were doing.”

That realization has led Single MOMM to expand their services throughout seven counties. They also launched a rural expansion initiative in 2021 that has helped them to serve approximately 2,000 families each year, according to Pool.

The heart of that expansion is due to the lack of affordable housing and affordable childcare near Traverse City. “All the things that the pandemic created—job loss, child care loss—moms haven’t been able to stay in Traverse City,” says Richardson. “They can still work in Traverse City, but they can’t afford to live here. And that’s a big change. 80 percent of the women [we serve] are the ALICE population [Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed] where they’re employed, but not making enough.”

“We’ve grown out of necessity,” Pool says, “[because] the level of need has increased significantly. And I’m not talking about the level of women walking through our door that don’t work … I’m talking about the level of need for the hard-working single mom that works two jobs. They should be able to sustain their family, and what we’re finding is that they can’t.”

Pool has the same outlook on the nonprofit’s geographic expansion as well.

“I think that’s the dilemma for a lot of nonprofits in our area. We are a spread-out community. So we have many moms that we work with that work here [in Traverse City], their kids are in school here, but their lives [are] 40-50 minutes away. And they do that for affordability,” Pool says. “So how do we help them thrive in their communities?”

Big Impact

Enter: The Impact100 grant. Impact100 of Traverse City is made up of hundreds of women who make an annual gift of $1,000. Those dollars are pulled together and distributed annually to create several six-figure—aka mission-changing—grants to nonprofits in the area. In fall 2022, Impact100 awarded three grants of $112,000 each to Single MOMM,

Friends of the Garden Theater, and North Country Trail Association. In 2023, they aspire to grant out half a million dollars thanks to the collective resources of the 500 women in their growing organization.

Prior to receiving the grant, Single MOMM created a mobile office to focus on their community in the Cadillac/Lake City area rather than simply invest in a new office space. (The organization currently operates out of space in the Cherryland Center mall.) A year and a half ago, the organization acquired a 28-foot mobile classroom formerly used by the Department of Homeland Security, and, after some grantfunded retrofits and branding updates, began serving Wexford and Missaukee counties along with a new area director and a local director.

“It’s truly a classroom on wheels with a cab,” Richardson explains, “but we needed something that wasn’t going to break down. It’s working, but we needed something different.”

Based on the success of the first mobile office, the Impact100 grant will be used to take their second mobile office—which will focus on families west of TC—to the next level.

“Our desire is to buy a truck that can tow our trailer full of supplies, as well as the second mobile office which we’re thinking is going to be more of an Airstream model,” Richardson says. “We have our area director who is already lifting this expansion without the trailer by beginning to identify … how many single mom households there are in Benzie and Leelanau County.”

That data became part of the grant process,

and the work of open houses and outreach to churches and community businesses is ongoing. Single MOMM expects to have the trailer purchased by fall, with retrofitting complete and ready to go by 2024.

Big Goals

A program that isn’t limited by physical presence is their 13-week reVIVE course, which has been a part of Single MOMM for years. Based on videotaped lessons and small-group discussion sessions, the course is available for use nationwide with plans to produce similar programming based around other Single MOMM classes.

“We have grown this organization by developing single moms to lead other single moms. We’ve empowered the very women that we’re serving to rise up and be able to lead, engage, and help guide other women. It’s a model that is not being done nationwide, and we have had a lot of interest around the nation in what we’re doing,” Pool says.

One thing is certain, in spite of the organization’s larger geographic footprint, Traverse City will remain Single MOMM’s base no matter what.

“Our rural development is this incredibly innovative way to reach women right where they’re at, but Grand Traverse is our home. It’s our headquarters,” Pool says. “Everything we do, we do that out of this area.”

To learn more about their programming, support their expansion efforts throughout northern Michigan, or find out how to get help yourself, visit singlemomm.org.

Single MOMM's current mobile office.

saturday

BIGFOOT 5K, 10K, 1M

SNOWSHOE RACE: 9am, Timber Ridge Resort, TC. The course is a snowy jaunt through the woods with logs to jump & branches to duck. Gather pre-race in the Timber Ridge Nordic Center around a fire, & stick around postrace to warm up with a bowl of chili. See web site for details. runsnow.com

11TH ANNUAL IRON FISH DISTILLERY

FAT CHANCE FAT TIRE BIKE RACE: 10am, Crystal Mountain, Cross-Country Center, Thompsonville. Presented by Iron Fish Distillery. The course will offer 360 degree viewing for spectators. The 90-minute race will have single sections to break up the pack. $50/person. events.bytepro.net/register/stage/id/2557

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in arts & crafts for all ages. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ open-studio-january-28

IMPROV COMEDY SHOW FOR KIDS & FAMILIES: 11am, Traverse Area District Library, TC. The Tilt Think Improv players bring stories, characters & scenes for a show intended for all ages. They’ll make up scenes & stories, on-the-spot & in-the-moment, all based on your (the audience’s) suggestions. Then, anyone who wants to learn some improv games will be invited to join in playing together in a circle. Free. tadl.org/events

MICHIGAN ICE WINE HARVEST FESTIVAL: 11am-5pm, Chateau Chantal, TC. Enjoy snowman building, ice sculptures, outdoor fire pits with roasted treats, a walking trail open for snowshoeing or skiing, samples of multiple ice wines, & more. chateauchantal.com

SOUPER SATURDAY SOUP DAY FUND-

RAISER: 11am-2pm, Interlochen Public Library. Enjoy a soup lunch with bread, crackers, dessert & a beverage. Several soup choices available. $5/person; $20/family. All proceeds benefit library programs.

SLEDDING & S’MORES: Noon-3pm, Kiwanis Park, Harbor Springs.

AN AFTERNOON WITH LIVE RAPTORS: FULL: 1-2:30pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. An interactive afternoon with live raptors. $10 adults; $5 children under 12; free for children under 2. natureiscalling.org/ events/an-afternoon-with-live-raptors

FREE YOUTH ART LAB: 1-3pm, Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Air Dry Clay for ages 10 & up. Offered in conjunction with the annual “Spotlight on Innovation” Student Art Exhibit. In this class students get to use a bit of science & art skills. Design & form a decorative tile, wall hanging piece, bowl & more. Pre-register. Free. charlevoixcircle.org/youth-art-lab

PUZZLE COMPETITION: 3-6pm, Leland Township Library, Munnecke Room, Leland. Teams, comprised of 2-3 players, will have three hours to complete a 500-piece puzzle. A prize will be awarded to the fastest team. Sign up. Free. lelandlibrary.org

BEARCUB OUTFITTERS TORCHLIGHT

SNOWSHOE: 5-9pm, Camp Daggett, Petoskey. Trek across snow-covered trails illuminated by more than 100 torches. Afterwards, enjoy cocoa, cookies, & roaring fires. Free, but donations encouraged to support Camp Daggett. campdaggett.org/bearcubsnowshoe-for-daggett

sunday

PADDINGTON GETS IN

A JAM: 3pm, City Opera House, TC. Paddington goes next door to borrow a cup of sugar from his neighbor, Mr. Curry, who is in a panic because he’s expecting a visit from his Great Aunt Matilda. And so, Paddington volunteers to help Mr. Curry with his to-do list before her imminent arrival. Tier 1, $30; Tier 2, $20. cityoperahouse.org/node/446

monday

DROP-IN PRESCHOOL

ADVENTURES IN ART: 9:30-10:15am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Early registration encouraged. Space is limited to 9 students (& parents). $5/session. crookedtree.org/class/ctac-traverse-city/preschool-adventures-art-january-30-0

KID’S CRAFT LAB: GROUNDHOG

WEATHER PREDICTER: 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. This groundhog will tell you what the weather is like today. Will there be sun or rain? Will spring come early? The groundhog knows. Make one to hang on your refrigerator & you will be an official Groundhog Weather Kid. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

KIDS CODING CLUB WITH TADL: 4pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Join Mr. Andy as you learn to problem solve & code. Play with robots & use computers & games to help you become better problem solvers & coders. Suggested age range: 6-12 years old. Free. tadl.org/events

OTP AUDITIONS: 6:30-9pm, Old Town Playhouse, Schmuckal Theatre, TC. For the musical “Something Rotten” by Karey Kirkpatrick, John O Farrell & Wayne Kirkpatrick, & directed by Katie Holmes. The play has roles for many characters of varied ages. Auditions are open to all community members. oldtownplayhouse.com/auditions

tuesday

OTP AUDITIONS: (See Mon., Jan. 30) Feb 1

wednesday

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “Who Will See Their Shadow This Year?” by Jerry Pallotta. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

VEGMICHIGAN - TC - MONTHLY MEETUP: 11am, Edson Farms Natural Foods, TC. The source for all things plant-based in the TC area. They post plant-based events, highlight local businesses & restaurants, & share the latest news about the plant-based lifestyle. Free. meetup.com/traverse-city-vegmichigan-meetup/events/290721343?utm_ medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_ savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link ----------------------

“DISRUPT & DISMANTLE: THE BATTLE FOR BLACK LAND”: 1pm & 2:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Dutmers Theater, NMC, TC. Soledad O’Brien examines the experiences of the Gullah people on Hilton Head Island, SC, where obscure legal loopholes & soaring property taxes have resulted in a loss of land & culture. Limit of 30 people per screening. Free; online registration required. simpletix.com/e/disrupt-dismantlethe-battle-for-black-lan-tickets-119448

FEBRUARY RECESS: 5-7pm, The Parlor, Northern Express Room, TC. After-work happy hour. Drinks include beer, wine or bubbles, with cocktails available for purchase. Food includes charcuterie, Caprese skewers, chicken skewers, artichoke dip with pita, & an assortent

of flatbread pizzas. Prizes: $50 Parlor gift card, Smokestack cocktail kit ($80 value), $50 North Bar gift card, & a $300 Downtown TC gift card. $10. traverseticker.com

Eleventh and twelfth graders from Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Charlevoix and East Jordan are displaying their artwork at Charlevoix Circle of Arts’ annual Spotlight on Innovation exhibit through Feb. 25. This exhibit highlights talented young artists, creative problem solvers, freethinkers, makers and creators of the future. An opening reception will be held on Jan. 27 from 5-7pm and will feature an awards presentation. Kendall College of Art and Design will conduct portfolio reviews for students at Charlevoix Circle of Arts by appointment on Jan. 28. During the exhibit, there will be free Youth Lab Classes and Take & Make children’s art kits. charlevoixcircle.org Pictured is Olivia Payne, 2022 Spotlight on Innovation winner.

AN EVENING WITH ANGELA WOODWARD: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, The Writing House. Author & Interlochen Arts Academy alumna Angela Woodward returns to Interlochen for a reading, Q&A session, & book signing. The Pushcart Prize-winning author will share selections from her award-winning novels & short fiction. Free. interlochen.org/events/eveningangela-woodward-2023-02-01

thursday

COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Featuring Douglas J. Barron, an artist known for his realism oil painting. His work is currently on display at CTAC’s Guild Member Salon Show. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/coffee-10-douglas-barron

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KID’S CRAFT LAB: GROUNDHOG WEATHER PREDICTER: (See Mon., Jan. 30, except today’s times are 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm.)

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INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER SERIES: Noon, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. “AI, Biometric Surveillance and Smart Cities: Japan’s Society 5.0 and the New Divisions of Organization” will be presented by David Humphrey. Register. Free. ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-5102130

OFF THE WALL MOVIE NIGHT & POTLUCK: Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Potluck dinner at 6pm; movie at 7pm. Sponsored by Alden District Library & Friends. Please call the library for movie info & to sign up for the potluck: 231-331-4318.

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TRAVERSE CITY COMEDY FEST: Feb.

2-4. Featuring a mix of stand-up performances, improv, podcast tapings & specialty shows. More than 40 comedians will appear in over 20 shows over this three-day festival. Events will be held at the City Opera House, Traverse City Comedy Club, Encore 201, The Workshop Brewing Company & Hotel Indigo. The event will also offer opportunities for those interested in writing or performing comedy to hone their craft. Headliners include Maria Bamford, Tom Papa, Ismo, Dean Edwards, & Jackie Kashian. Visit web site for a complete schedule & ticket info. tccomedyfest.com/events

friday

MICHIGAN’S RICHEST SNOWMOBILE FUN RUN: Gaylord, Feb. 3-4. Snowmobilers ride Otsego County’s trails & visit nine participating area businesses to drop off registration slips. The event concludes at the Eagles Hall with live music, complimentary food, prizes, & a $1,000 cash drawing. Free. gaylordmichigan.net/snowmobile-festival-registration

MORE TO EXPLORE: WHEELS ARE ROLLING: 10:30am, 1pm & 3:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Drop into the Great Lakes Room anytime during the sessions & roll a car or two down the ramps. Sign up when you reserve your attendance at the Museum. greatlakeskids.org

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18TH ANNUAL STATE OF THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM: Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Presented by the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce. Doors open at 1pm for networking; program begins at 2pm. Event Chairman Dan Ledingham will serve as one of the co-emcees alongside Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce President Nikki Devitt & Membership Direc-

tor Lisa Hoyt. They will interview experts on the Crooked Tree stage to give updates on topics important to northern Michigan. $25. petoskeychamber.com

FIRST FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN CHARLEVOIX: 4-8pm, Downtown Charlevoix. Happening the First Friday of each month from February through May. Enjoy a cocktail trail, shopping, & fun activities. You could also win Downtown Dollar Gift Cards for coming out for the events. Free. downtowncharlevoix.com/first-fridays

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TRAVERSE CITY COMEDY FEST: (See Thurs., Feb. 2) ----------------------

“WATER WE DOING? THE GLOBAL MISSION TO CLEAN WATER”: 6pm, The Mills Community House, Benzonia. Presented by Benzie Conservation District. The awardwinning documentary discusses the future of sustainable, clean water & how new technologies can address water pollution issues. Free. benziecd.org/events.html

THE OUTFITTER BACKCOUNTRY SKI & SNOWSHOE SERIES: 6pm, Offield Family Viewlands, Harbor Springs. Approx. 1-hour loop, apres ski hangout, headlamps recommended, limited parking. 231-526-2621. Free.

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. In 1998 Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, was brutally beaten & left to die on the plains outside Laramie, Wyoming. This play is based on 200+ interviews with the people of the town, & explores the depths to which humanity can sink & the heights of compassion we are capable of. $28 adults; $15 youth under 18, plus fees. oldtownplayhouse.com/calendar

INTERLOCHEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS’

3RD ANNUAL SINGER/SONGWRITER SERIES: 8pm, City Opera House, TC. Hear the artists of tomorrow as Interlochen Arts Academy’s singer-songwriter students present an evening of original music. Enjoy diverse selections in a wide variety of genres, styles & instrumentations. $25, $20, $10 students. cityoperahouse.org/node/447

saturday

VETERAN’S WINTER 2023

ICE FISHING EVENT: 8am2pm, Lake Leelanau, Bingham Launch. Fish for walleye, perch, pike & panfish. All veterans are welcome & all gear & on-ice accommodations will be provided. There will also be a hot lunch on the ice & raffle gifts. nwmifishingclub.com ----------------------

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in arts & crafts for the whole family. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/open-studio-february-4

MICHIGAN’S RICHEST SNOWMOBILE FUN RUN: (See Fri., Feb. 3)

AIR & APRÉS BY SAMUEL ADAMS: 11am, Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls. The slopes become a jumbo screen filled with motion graphics, doubling as a stage, as Olympic, X-Game & professional athletes perform big air jumps & aerial acrobatics. There will be loud music, pyrotechnics, a fireworks display & more. Bring a Sharpie for an Athlete Meet & Greet at the Sam Adams Après Party right after the show. boynemountain.com/ upcoming-events/air-and-apres

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KID’S LUNAR NEW YEAR TEA CEREMONY: 11am, Charlevoix Circle of Arts. For

ages 6+. Experience some of the holiday customs & celebrate the Lunar New Year by taking part in a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony. Pre-register. $5 non-members; free members. charlevoixcircle.org/classesworkshops ----------------------

FREE YOUTH ART LAB: 1-3pm, Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Paracord bracelet making for ages 10+. Students can pick from a variety of colors & attachments like whistles & compasses. Pre-register. charlevoixcircle.org/ youth-art-lab ----------------------

TRAVERSE CITY COMEDY FEST: (See Thurs., Feb. 2) ----------------------

SLEDDING & S’MORES: 5-8pm, Kiwanis Park, Harbor Springs.

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: (See Fri., Feb. 3)

BLISSFEST PRESENTS: TRADITIONAL COUNTRY DANCE: 7:30-10pm, LittlefieldAlanson Community Building, Alanson. All dances will be taught & traditional country dances include contras, squares & waltzes. Featuring Ruby John & John Warstler with caller Larry Dyer. $7/person; $10/couple; $15/family. blissfest.org

CUTTIME SIMFONICA: 7:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. CutTime® began within the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with two outreach ensembles by bassist-member Rick Robinson (aka Mr. CutTime). CutTime Simfonica® is the sensuous string ensemble, often with light drumming to perform Robinson’s Kresge-winning, funky-romantic compositions. $25 members; $35 non-members; $10 students. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ctac-presents-cuttime-simfonica

sunday

“THE LARAMIE PROJECT”: (See Fri., Feb. 3, except today’s time is 2pm.)

MAMA BEARS DOCUMENTARY: 6pm, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Charlevoix. A free showing of “Mama Bears,” in which dedicated mothers fight ferociously to make the world a kinder & safer place for the LGBTQ community. More info: 231-547-9122.

ongoing

FATHER FRED’S ANNUAL FROSTBITE FOOD DRIVE: TC. Runs Jan. 28 - Feb. 5. The main drop-off location will be Team Bob’s on the corner of Park St. & South Airport Rd. Other drop-off locations include: Tom’s West Bay, Tom’s East Bay, Tom’s 14th St., Tom’s Interlochen, as well as Oleson’s on 3 Mile & Oleson’s on Long Lake. Needed items: 5 oz. canned tuna, soups, canned or dried beans, cooking oil, pasta sauce, 5 oz. canned chicken, oatmeal, peanut butter, spaghetti or pasta, & canned fruits & vegetables. fatherfred.org

SNOWSHOES, VINES & WINES: 12-4pm, Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay. On Saturdays through the winter, easy to moderate trails & then warm up on the heated Terrace Patio & Hearth & Vine Café with wine & snacks. Onsite snowshoe rentals are available from noon - 4pm. Additional date includes Feb. 19, 2023. blackstarfarms.com/snowshoes-vines-wines ----------------------

RANGER-LED SNOWSHOE HIKES: Saturdays through March at 1pm, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, Empire. Rangers will first provide an introduction & basic snowshoeing instructions, & then everyone will travel by car to the trailhead or

area of the National Lakeshore pre-selected for that day. Once there, the ranger will help participants learn about the park’s features & winter’s effect on them by exploring & discovering clues on site. Plan to be outside for about two hours. nps.gov/planyourvisit/ event-details.htm?id=3E7D5940-991FBB2C-DDC71C23B7DB9C99

VINE TO WINE SNOWSHOE TOUR: Saturdays, noon-4pm. Enjoy a snowshoe adventure through the vineyards & orchards to three wineries. The private vineyard trail connects Suttons Bay Ciders, Ciccone Vineyards, & Big Little Wines. This guided tour starts at Big Little Wines, Suttons Bay. The tour includes your snowshoe & pole rental, a catered warm lunch of chili & soups overlooking the bay, & a wine purchase pick up service. grandtraversebiketours.com/vine-to-wine-snowshoe-tour.html ----------------------

BABYTIME: Tuesdays in Jan. at 9:30am. Traverse Area District Library, TC. Baby Time with Miss Michele is an interactive story time introducing early literacy to the youngest patrons. Geared toward families with children ages 0-12 months. tadl.org/event/baby-timemiss-michele-18

TEEN WRITING GROUP: Traverse Area District Library, TC. The TADL teen writing group meets every Tuesday in January at 4pm. tadl.org/event/teen-writing-group-10 ----------------------

TODDLER TIME AT TADL: Traverse Area District Library, TC. Join Miss Michele for Toddler Time (formerly Mother Goose Time) as she leads families with young children through stories, rhymes & books. For children aged 12-36 months. Held every Tues. in Jan. at 11am. tadl.org/events

art

“SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION”: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. See unique works from 11th & 12th grade budding artists from Charlevoix County & the surrounding area. Featuring scholarship awards from Kendall College, & CCA prize awards. Runs through Feb. 25. Charlevoix Circle of Arts is open Mon. through Fri., 11am-4pm; Sat., 11am3pm; or by appointment. charlevoixcircle. org/exhibits-2023

PHANTASMAGORIA ART EXHIBITION FOR THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL: Right Brain Brewery, TC. Featuring a huge display of the work of local artists. Special reception dates of Feb. 11 & March 4 will include live performances, music, dancing & more. Exhibit runs through March 4. rightbrainbrewery.com/23/upcoming-events ----------------------

JUST GREAT ART!: City Opera House, TC. Runs from 10am-5pm during the week & evening events, through Jan. The group of 12 artists paint using oil, watercolor, pastel or acrylic to create their pieces. They love to depict their northwest Michigan area while painting outside, through the warm months. cityoperahouse.org

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOS-

KEY:

- GUILD MEMBER SALON SHOW: Hundreds of original works of art by Crooked Tree Arts Center’s artists fill the galleries, including painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, new media & more. Runs through March 4. An opening reception will be held on Feb. 14 from 5-6:30pm. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/guild-member-salonshow-2023-opens-january-14

- KALEIDOSCOPE: RECENT WORK BY LINDSEY CLAIRE NEWMAN: Held in Atrium

Gallery. Lindsey’s deceptively simple mixedmedia collages reflect complex themes of time, creation, deconstruction, & motherhood. Runs through Feb. 25. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/kaleidoscope-recent-work-lindsey-claire-newman-opens-january-14

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:

- “ENTANGLED: PAPER SCULPTURES FROM ETCHING PRINTS BY DOROTHY ANDERSON GROW”: Held in the Carnegie Galleries. Dorothy Anderson Grow’s multi-layer etching prints are on display in this solo exhibition that runs through Feb. 18. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/ entangled-paper-sculptures-etching-printsdorothy-anderson-grow-opens

- OCCUPIED SPACES: WORK BY JUSTIN SHULL: Held in Cornwell Gallery through Feb. 18. In his solo exhibition “Occupied Spaces,” Michigan artist Justin Shull presents a series of personal meditations on the environments that we shape & inhabit, & he invites us to consider how these environments shape us in return. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/occupied-spaceswork-justin-shull-opens-january-6

- TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB: 2022

AWARD WINNERS: Runs through Feb. 18 in the Carnegie Galleries. Exhibition featuring stand-out work by the Traverse Area Camera Club. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/traverse-area-camera-club2022-award-winners

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:

- “A RICH HISTORY: AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS FROM THE MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART”: This exhibit highlights the growing legacy of important African American artists from the Muskegon Museum of Art’s permanent art collection & features over 75 years of artistic excellence. Runs

through April 2. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm.

- “US”: Teresa Dunn’s solo exhibition is a collection of her recent narrative painting series that brings voice to stories that people of color, individuals with complex cultural identities, & immigrants shared with her about their daily experience in America. Runs through May 28. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm.

- “VITALITY AND CONTINUITY: ART IN THE EXPERIENCES OF ANISHINAABE, INUIT, AND PUEBLO WOMEN”: This exhibit celebrates some of the critical roles Anishinaabe, Inuit, & Pueblo women fulfill in their families, their communities, the art world, & beyond. Runs through May 19. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org

GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:

- A FERAL HOUSEWIFE: Held in the Lobby Gallery. An exhibition of collages by Leelanau County artist Mary Beth Acosta. Runs through April 21. Acosta uses simple, familiar tools & a range of recycled, vintage papers to create collages about mid-century housewives, bigfinned cars, & labor-saving appliances that were promoted as drudgery-busting machines that would revolutionize the modern home. A video interview with Acosta about her materials & methods can be seen as part of the online version of this exhibition: glenarborart.org/ events/exhibit-a-feral-housewife

- TELLING STORIES EXHIBIT: Held in the Main Gallery. This juried exhibition about the power of visual storytelling runs through March 23. The GAAC’s exhibitors tell their own stories in the media of photography paint, wood, collage & more. The themes behind the Telling Stories exhibit are explored in two video interviews with three northern Michigan residents. Winter hours are Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm, & Sat., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/events/ exhibit-telling-stories-fact-fiction-otherwise

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

ACOUSTIC TAP ROOM, TC

2/3 -- John Piatek, 8

BRENGMAN BROTHERS AT CRAIN HILL VINEYARD, TC

2/3 -- Windy Ridge Quartet, 3-6

ENCORE 201, TC

2/2 -- Daily Dozen Comedy Show, 7:30-9; Roast Battle! w/ 8 Comics, 10-11:30

2/3 -- Good on Paper Comedy Show, 5-7; Daily Dozen Comedy Show, 7-9:30

2/4 -- Tilt Think Variety, 2:304:30; Hip Prov Comedy Show, 5-7; Comedy Rumble, 7:309:30; The Dirty Show, 10

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

1/28 – Jesse Jefferson, 9:30

2/1 – The Pocket, 8

2/3-4 – E Quality, 9:30

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC

BARREL ROOM:

1/30 -- Barrels & Beats w/ Rob

Coonrod, 6-9

TASTING ROOM:

BEL LAGO VINEYARD & WINERY, CEDAR

1/28 -- Bel Lago UnpluggedBob Roberts, 3-5

2/3 -- Bel Lago UnpluggedLuke Woltanski, 3:30-5:30

BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU TASTING ROOM:

2/3 -- Bryan Poirier, 5:30-8

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE SLOPESIDE TENT, NEAR CRYSTAL CLIPPER CHAIRLIFT:

3-5:

1/28 -- Boone Doggies

2/4 -- Luke Woltanski

VISTA LOUNGE:

1/28 -- Nick Vasquez, 2-5; Drew Hale Band, 8-11

5-7:

1/28 -- Mountain Gloom and Mountain Glory

2/4 – The Duges

LIL BO, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 8-10

Weds. – Aldrich, 9

Sun. – Karaoke, 8

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, TC

2/4 – Clint Weaner, 7-10

MARI VINEYARDS, TC

2/2 -- John Piatek, 3-5

2/3 -- Rebekah Jon, 4-6

NORTH BAR TC

1/28 – Jazz Cabbage, 8-11

1/29 – Chris Smith, 5-8

PARK PLACE HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER, TC

Fri.-Sat. -- Jim Hawley & Jeff Currie on keyboard, 7-10

TC WHISKEY CO.

2/1 -- John Piatek, 6

Leelanau & Benzie

2/3 -- Offbeat Band, 8-11

2/4 -- Funtastix, 2-5; Offbeat Band, 8-11

DICK'S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU

Sat. -- Karaoke, 10-1

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH

Fri -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Andy Littlefield, 6-8

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

1/28 -- Elizabeth Landry, 5-7

2/3-5 -- Hog & Bear Mid-Winter Island Party w/ Live Music, 3

2/4 -- Blair Miller, 5:30

LAKE ANN BREWING CO.

6:30-9:30:

THE LITTLE FLEET, TC

2/1 -- Endless Summer w/ DJ Dusty Staircase, 3-10

THE PARLOR, TC

2/3 -- Blair Miller, 7

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

1/28 -- East Bay Drive, 7

1/31 – Open Mic & Musical Talent Showcase, 7

2/1 – Jazz Show & Jam, 6-9

THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC

Tues. – Trivia, 7-9

UNION STREET STATION, TC

1/28 -- 1000 Watt Trio, 10

1/29 & 2/5 -- Open Mic, 6-9

1/31 -- Open Mic Comedy, 8-9:30; then Karaoke

2/1 -- Trash Boy Takeover, 10

2/2 -- DJ 1 Wave, 10

2/3 -- Happy Hour w/ EBD; then Soul Patch Bob Marley Birthday Bash

2/4 -- Soul Patch Bob Marley Birthday Bash, 10

Emmet & Cheboygan

BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR:

1/28 -- Peter Jensen, 6-9

1/29 -- Celtic & Traditional Irish Session Players, 5

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY

2-6: 1/28 -- Chris Calleja

2/4 -- Tyler Parkin

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BAY HARBOR

7-10:

1/28 -- Jessica Dominic

2/3 – The Real Ingredients

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES:

1/28 -- DJ, 9

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN

1/28 -- The Lonely Pines, 8

2/3 -- Charlie Rieger, 7:30

2/4 -- Myk Rise, 8

THE NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY

7-10:

1/28 -- Sunny Bleau

2/3 – Dogwood Rhythm

Otsego, Crawford & Central

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD

Antrim & Charlevoix

1/28 -- Niemisto & Villoch

2/4 -- The Dune Brothers

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

1/28 -- Pete Jackson, 5-8

2/2 – Open Mic Night w/ Jeff Louwsma, 5:30-8:30

2/3 – The Feral Cats, 5-8

2/4 – Jesse Jefferson, 5-8

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY

2/3 -- Friday Night LIVE w/ John Paul Richard, 5:30-8:30

UPRIVER'S SLICE OF MUSIC, BENZONIA

2/1 -- Sean "The Bear" Baldwin, 6-8

BIER'S INWOOD BREWERY, CHARLEVOIX

2/2 -- Open Mic Night: Sign up at 6:15; Music at 7

ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS

1/28 & 2/4 -- Winter Music Series, 7-10

HELLO VINO, BELLAIRE

1/28 -- Darrell Boger, 6:30-9:30

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BELLAIRE 7-10:

1/28 – Clint Weaner

2/4 – Matt Mansfield

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY

1/28 -- Reelin' N' Rollin' w/ DJ

Franck, 7-10

2/2 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6

SHORT’S BREW PUB, BELLAIRE

2/4 – The Real Ingredients, 8-10:30

lOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “I want to raise up the magic world all round me and live strongly and quietly there,” wrote Aquarian author Virginia Woolf in her diary. What do you think she meant by "raise up the magic world all round me"? More importantly, how would you raise up the magic world around you? Meditate fiercely and generously on that tantalizing project. The coming weeks will be an ideal time to attend to such a wondrous possibility. You now have extra power to conjure up healing, protection, inspiration, and mojo for yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): ): I wish I could help you understand and manage a situation that has confused you. I'd love to bolster your strength to deal with substitutes that have been dissipating your commitment to the Real Things. In a perfect world, could emancipate you from yearnings that are out of sync with your highest good. And maybe I'd be able to teach you to dissolve a habit that has weakened your willpower. And why can’t I be of full service to you in these ways? Because, according to my assessment, you have not completely acknowledged your need for this help. So neither I nor anyone else can provide it. But now that you've read this horoscope, I'm hoping you will make yourself more receptive to the necessary support and favors and relief.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I can't definitively predict you will receive an influx of cash in the next three weeks. It's possible, though. And I'm not able to guarantee you'll be the beneficiary of free lunches and unexpected gifts. But who knows? They could very well appear. Torrents of praise and appreciation may flow, too, though trickles are more likely. And there is a small chance of solicitous gestures coming your way from sexy angels and cute maestros. What I can promise you for sure, however, are fresh eruptions of savvy in your brain and sagacity in your heart. Here's your keynote, as expressed by the Queen of Sheba 700 years ago: "Wisdom is sweeter than honey, brings more joy than wine, illumines more than the sun, is more precious than jewels."

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your assignment, Scorpio, is to cultivate a closer relationship with the cells that comprise your body. They are alive! Speak to them as you would to a beloved child or animal. In your meditations and fantasies, bless them with tender wishes. Let them know how grateful you are for the grand collaboration you have going, and affectionately urge them to do what's best for all concerned. For you Scorpios, February is Love and Care for Your Inner Creatures Month..

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

Revamped and refurbished things are coming back for another look. Retreads and redemptionseekers are headed in your direction. I think you should consider giving them an audience. They are likely to be more fun or interesting or useful during their second time around. Dear Sagittarius, suspect that the imminent future may also invite you to consider the possibility of accepting stand-ins and substitutes and imitators. They may turn out to be better than the so-called real things they replace. In conclusion, be receptive to Plan Bs, second choices, and alternate routes. They could lead you to the exact opportunities you didn't know you needed.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Author Neil Gaiman declared, "I've never known anyone who was what he or she seemed." While that may be generally accurate, it will be far less true about you Capricorns in the coming weeks. By my astrological reckoning, you will be very close to what you seem to be. The harmony between your deep inner self and your outer persona will be at record-breaking levels. No one will have to wonder if they must be wary of hidden agendas lurking below your surface. Everyone can be confident that what they see in you is what they will get from you. This is an amazing accomplishment! Congrats!

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Before going to sleep, I asked my subconscious mind to bring a dream that would be helpful for you. Here's what it gave me: In my dream, I was reading a comic book titled Zoe Stardust Quells Her Demon. On the first page, Zoe was facing a purple monster whose body was beastly but whose face looked a bit like hers. On page two,

the monster chased Zoe down the street, but Zoe escaped. In the third scene, the monster was alone, licking its fur. In the fourth scene, Zoe sneaked up behind the monster and shot it with a blow dart that delivered a sedative, knocking it unconscious. In the final panel, Zoe had arranged for the monster to be transported to a lush uninhabited island where it could enjoy its life without bothering her. Now here's my dream interpretation, Pisces: Don't directly confront your inner foe or nagging demon. Approach stealthily and render it inert. Then banish it from your sphere, preferably forever.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Theoretically, you could offer to help a person who doesn’t like you. You could bring a gourmet vegan meal to a meat-eater or pay a compliment to a bigot. I suppose you could even sing beautiful love songs to annoyed passersby or recite passages from great literature to an eight-year-old immersed in his video game. But there are better ways to express your talents and dispense your gifts—especially now, when it's crucial for your long-term mental health that you offer your blessings to recipients who will use them best and appreciate them most.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In esoteric astrology, Taurus rules the third eye. Poetically speaking, this is a subtle organ of perception, a sixth sense that sees through mere appearances and discerns the secret or hidden nature of things. Some people are surprised to learn about this theory. Doesn't traditional astrology say that you Bulls are sober and well-grounded? Here’s the bigger view: The penetrating vision of an evolved Taurus is potent because it peels away superficial truths and uncovers deeper truths. Would you like to tap into more of this potential superpower? The coming weeks will be a good time to do so.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The ingredient you would need to fulfill the next stage of a fun dream is behind door #1. Behind door #2 is a vision of a creative twist you could do but haven't managed yet. Behind door #3 is a clue that might help you achieve more disciplined freedom than you've known before. Do you think I'm exaggerating? I'm not. Here’s the catch: You may be able to open only one door before the magic spell wears off— unless you enlist the services of a consultant, ally, witch, or guardian angel to help you bargain with fate to provide even more of the luck that may be available.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): trust you are mostly ready for the educational adventures and experiments that are possible. The uncertainties that accompany them, whether real or imagined, will bring out the best in you. For optimal results, you should apply your nighttime thinking to daytime activities, and vice versa. Wiggle free of responsibilities unless they teach you noble truths. And finally, summon the intuitive powers that will sustain you and guide you through the brilliant shadow initiations. (PS: Take the wildest rides you dare as long as they are safe.)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Fate has decreed, "Leos must be wanderers for a while." You are under no obligation to obey this mandate, of course. Theoretically, you could resist it. But if you do indeed rebel, be sure your willpower is very strong. You will get away with outsmarting or revising fate only if your discipline is fierce and your determination is intense. OK? So let's imagine that you will indeed bend fate's decree to suit your needs. What would that look like? Here's one possibility: The "wandering" you undertake can be done in the name of focused exploration rather than aimless meandering.

Crosswords

ACROSS

1. Strong poker hand

6. Fruit-flavored Coca-Cola brand

11. Bitingly ironic

14. Alvin of the American Dance Theater

15. Creator of a logical "razor"

16. "Ni ___, Kai-Lan" (2010s Nickelodeon cartoon)

17. Migratory honker

19. "Jeopardy!" ques., actually

20. "It's the end of an ___!"

21. First "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" host

22. "Of course!", for short

24. "Rainy Days and Mondays" singer Carpenter

25. Korea's national dish

26. School cleaner

29. Quilt piece

30. Napoleon Bonaparte et al.

31. "Ratatouille" rodent

32. ___ Technica (tech blog)

35. Minor damage

36. It comes in slices

38. Honor for Viola Davis if she wins her 2023

Grammy nomination

39. Ore-___ (Tater Tots maker)

40. Letter between Oscar and Quebec

41. Painter's movement

43. ___-Roman wrestling

45. Kind of leap or physics

46. Larry, for one

48. "You'd think ..." follow-up

49. About the year of

50. "The Imitation Game" actress Knightley

51. Catchall abbr.

54. ___ Faithful (Yellowstone geyser)

55. "Only Murders in the Building" actress who's less than half the age of her co-stars

58. Actor Kier of "Dancer in the Dark"

59. "In ___" (1993 Nirvana album)

60. "Buenos Aires" musical

61. "X" is gonna give it to ya

62. "Bye!"

63. Person evaluating something

DOWN

1. Go up against

2. Unreliable informant

3. Forearm bone

4. ___ of Tranquility

5. Get some water

6. Insecticide device

7. Flip ___ (choose by chance)

8. Some mil. academy grads

9. Some proctors, for short

10. Hotel pool, e.g.

11. Question of possession?

12. Chicken nugget dip option

13. Mario Kart character

18. Lockheed Martin's field

23. "Better Call Saul" network

24. Highland Games attire

25. Ancient Sanskrit guide to life (and I'm sure nothing else)

26. "Star Wars" warrior

27. Involuntarily let go

28. Veruca Salt co-founder who left to go solo in 1998 (then rejoined in 2013)

29. Brick-shaped candy

31. Rapper with the alias Bobby Digital

33. Streaming device since 2008

34. Cherry attachment

37. Big Wall St. news

38. Cube master Rubik

40. Mythical creature with four legs and two wings

42. Scarlet songbird

44. "Arabian Nights" flyer

45. Grainy salad ingredient

46. Talent hunter

47. Mark in Spanish and Portuguese

48. Resembling lager

50. Bauhaus painter Paul

51. Cast out

52. Place for un beret

53. Old Russian ruler

56. Hot season for a Parisian

57. Anatomical eggs

"Give it a Go"-IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME. by Matt Jones

“Jonesin”

NORTHERN EXPRESS

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